Cleveland driver tries to apologize to people his car struck before a Polish Constitution Day parade

View full sizeLonnie Timmons III/Plain DealerKazimierz Chruscik, whose car jumped a curb and hit four people May 2 in Newburgh Heights, offers an apology to teen victim Justin Otis after a Tuesday court hearing. Otis, with his mother, Sabrina Otis, did not accept the apology because Chruscik has been silent for two months and has not helped with medical bills.

GARFIELD HEIGHTS, Ohio -- Kazimierz Chruscik tried to apologize Tuesday for driving over a curb on May 2 and striking four people preparing for a parade.

"I'm very sorry," the 68-year-old Cleveland man said as he offered a hand to the most severely injured victim, Justin Otis. But Justin, 17, who is still in a wheelchair with a hip injury, spurned the hand and the apology.

"How can I forgive you if you just kept going," Justin said. "You didn't visit us in the hospital or anything."

Chruscik, a Polish immigrant, again apologized in strained English. But Justin again declined.

The awkward scene played out Tuesday after a hearing in Garfield Heights Municipal Court, where Chruscik faces charges of attempted vehicular manslaughter and failure to control. He is trying negotiate a plea agreement, his lawyer, Patrick Dichiro, said.

Chruscik, who has a history of traffic offenses, drove over a parking lot curb in Newburgh Heights. He hit three James Ford Rhodes High School students and a parent gathered for a Polish Constitution Day parade through nearby Slavic Village.

Chruscik's lawyer told Judge Jennifer Weiler that his client probably had a mini-stroke that caused the accident. A medical report submitted by Chruscik says he had a stroke in 2007 and that he had an extremely high blood-sugar level the morning of the accident.

Though that report advised against him driving, Chruscik drove to the court from his home in North Royalton. That annoyed Weiler, who immediately granted Prosecutor Joseph Feighan's request to suspend his license.

"I'm kind of curious why you drove here today when this is what your doctor said," she told him. Chruscik had no comment.

The judge was even more critical of Chruscik's inability to prove he has car insurance. His lawyer said Chruscik thought his two out-of-town children had handled that for him.

"This is obviously not good," the judge told him. "This is bad."

Feighan said the four victims have at least $11,000 in medical bills, likely much more.

Justin, who suffered lung bruises and a broken pelvis, said he is unsure if he will ever walk again. His mother, Sabrina, said he may need a hip replacement. The other three victims were treated at hospitals and released within days.

Justin and other victims and families said Tuesday they will likely file civil suits to recover those costs.

Feighan urged them to see if their own insurance covers uninsured motorists. The victims also are looking at a state fund that helps people injured during crimes.

"He doesn't have anything," Feighan said. "He has no assets."

Justin said he is convinced Chruscik hit him on purpose because he did not stop, but continued on, dragging him and hitting the others.

Chruscik has not explained the accident and declined to talk to The Plain Dealer at the court hearing.

Feighan said he still wants a guilty plea to attempted vehicular manslaughter.

At the hearing, Chruscik's lawyer and Weiler discussed having a translator for the next court appearance.

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